Jeremiah 51:19

Translation
King James Version
The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the LORD of hosts is his name.
Ask
KJV (with Strong's)
The portion H2506 of Jacob H3290 is not like them; for he is the former H3335 of all things: and Israel is the rod H7626 of his inheritance H5159: the LORD H3068 of hosts H6635 is his name H8034.
Ask
Complete Jewish Bible
Ya'akov's portion is not like these, for he is the one who formed all things, including the tribe he claims as his heritage. ADONAI-Tzva'ot is his name.
Ask
Berean Standard Bible
The Portion of Jacob is not like these, for He is the Maker of all things, and of the tribe of His inheritance— the LORD of Hosts is His name.
Ask
American Standard Version
The portion of Jacob is not like these; for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance: Jehovah of hosts is his name.
Ask
World English Bible Messianic
The portion of Jacob is not like these; for he is the former of all things; and is the tribe of his inheritance: the LORD of Hosts is his name.
Ask
Geneva Bible (1599)
The portion of Iaakob is not like them: for he is the maker of all things, and Israel is the rodde of his inheritance: the Lord of hostes is his Name.
Ask
Young's Literal Translation
Not like these is the portion of Jacob, For He is former of all things, And Israel is the rod of His inheritance, Jehovah of Hosts is His name.
Ask
See also
Psalms 73:26Jeremiah 10:16Psalms 33:121 Peter 2:9Isaiah 47:4Exodus 19:5Exodus 19:6
See on the biblical-era map
Prophecy Against Babylon
Prophecy Against Babylon View full PDF

Map © Biblica Open Bible Maps · CC BY-SA 4.0

In the KJVVerse 20,232 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Jeremiah 51:19 serves as a profound declaration of Yahweh's incomparable nature and His unique, covenantal relationship with Israel, sharply contrasting the living God with the lifeless idols worshipped by Babylon and other nations. It asserts God's identity as the sovereign Creator of all things, the ultimate "portion" and inheritance of His people Jacob/Israel, and the supreme "LORD of hosts," whose name signifies His absolute power and authority over all creation and human affairs. This verse stands as a powerful theological anchor, affirming God's singularity and His unwavering commitment to His chosen people amidst the impending judgment on Babylon.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Jeremiah 51 continues the prophet's extended oracle against Babylon, which began in Jeremiah 50. The verses immediately preceding, specifically Jeremiah 51:15-18, highlight the profound foolishness and futility of idolatry. These verses describe how idols are "worthless" and "a work of delusion," crafted by human hands and utterly incapable of action or intervention. In stark contrast to these man-made deities, verse 19 emphatically declares the unique and incomparable nature of the God of Israel. This sharp juxtaposition serves to underscore God's absolute sovereignty and power over Babylon, whose destruction is meticulously detailed throughout this chapter, emphasizing that the true God, unlike the idols, is fully capable of executing His judgments and fulfilling His promises. The immediate literary flow thus moves from describing the impotence of idols to the omnipotence of Yahweh.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: Jeremiah's prophecies against Babylon were delivered during a tumultuous period when the Babylonian Empire was at its zenith, having conquered Judah and exiled its people. Babylon was renowned for its immense power, wealth, and, notably, its elaborate polytheistic religious system, featuring numerous gods and grand temples dedicated to deities like Marduk. The people of Judah, living in exile, were constantly exposed to this dominant pagan culture and its pervasive idolatrous practices, facing immense pressure to assimilate or despair. In this challenging context, Jeremiah 51:19 serves as a crucial theological affirmation for the exiled Israelites, reminding them that their God, Yahweh, is fundamentally different and infinitely superior to the gods of Babylon. It reassures them that despite Babylon's apparent might, their God is the true sovereign, the "former of all things," who controls history and will ultimately bring about Babylon's downfall, as predicted in Jeremiah 50-51.
  • Key Themes: This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it powerfully asserts the theme of God's incomparability and uniqueness, a recurring motif in prophetic literature that distinguishes Yahweh from all other deities (e.g., Isaiah 44:6-8). Secondly, it emphasizes God's role as Creator and Sustainer, highlighting His omnipotence and control over the cosmos, a foundational truth established in Genesis 1:1. Thirdly, the verse reinforces the theme of God's covenantal relationship with Israel, portraying Him as their ultimate "portion" and "inheritance," a concept deeply rooted in the promises to Abraham and the Mosaic covenant (e.g., Deuteronomy 32:9). Finally, the title "LORD of hosts" underscores the theme of God's supreme authority and power over all forces, both spiritual and earthly, assuring His people of His ability to deliver them and execute His righteous judgment.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Portion (Hebrew, chêleq', H2506): From the root meaning "to divide" or "to allot," this term signifies an assigned share, an inheritance, or a lot. In the context of "the portion of Jacob," it denotes that God Himself is Israel's true inheritance, their ultimate possession and source of security, unlike the material or idolatrous "portions" of other nations. This concept elevates the spiritual over the material, positioning Yahweh as the supreme treasure and the true source of a people's well-being.
  • Former (Hebrew, yâtsar', H3335): This word literally means "to mold into a form," especially as a potter shapes clay. It emphasizes God's active role as the divine craftsman, the deliberate designer and creator of everything from the cosmos to humanity. Unlike the "formers" or makers of idols (as mentioned in Jeremiah 51:17), God is the uncreated Former of all things, highlighting His absolute sovereignty, originality, and power over creation.
  • LORD of hosts (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh tsâbâʼ'_, H3068): This majestic compound title, "Yahweh Sabaoth," combines the personal covenant name of God (Yahweh, Yᵉhôvâh, "the Self-Existent One") with "hosts" (tsâbâʼ), referring to armies or organized forces. It signifies God's supreme authority as the commander of all heavenly and earthly armies, encompassing angelic beings, celestial bodies, and human nations. This name underscores His irresistible might, His ability to execute His will, and His absolute control over all creation and historical events, including the rise and fall of empires like Babylon.

Verse Breakdown

  • "The portion of Jacob is not like them;": This opening clause establishes a stark contrast between the God of Israel and the false gods or "portions" (idols, material wealth, military might) worshipped by other nations, particularly Babylon. It asserts that Israel's true inheritance and source of security is fundamentally different and incomparably superior to the vain objects of trust of the Gentiles. Their God is living, active, and unique.
  • "for he is the former of all things:": This provides the theological basis for the preceding statement. God's distinctiveness lies in His identity as the ultimate Creator. Unlike idols that are formed by human hands and are therefore dependent and limited, Yahweh is the uncreated, sovereign shaper and designer of the entire universe, demonstrating His infinite power, wisdom, and eternal existence. He is the origin of all reality.
  • "and Israel is the rod of his inheritance:": This clause further defines the unique relationship between God and His people. "Rod" (Hebrew shêbeṭ) can mean a staff, scepter, or tribe. Here, it suggests Israel is God's special possession, His chosen people, akin to a valuable scepter signifying royal authority or a distinct tribe within His dominion. It also implies Israel's role as an instrument in God's hand, perhaps for His purposes of judgment or blessing, as a shepherd uses a rod to guide or discipline His flock.
  • "the LORD of hosts is his name.": This concluding declaration powerfully affirms God's supreme identity and authority. "The LORD of hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) is a title emphasizing God's omnipotence as the commander of all forces, both celestial and terrestrial. This name encapsulates His irresistible might and His ability to fulfill His purposes, providing an ultimate assurance of His power over all opposition, including the mighty Babylonian Empire. It is a declaration of His sovereign character.

Literary Devices

Jeremiah 51:19 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. Contrast is the most prominent, setting the living God of Israel apart from the lifeless idols mentioned in the preceding verses. This sharp distinction highlights God's unique nature as the "former of all things" versus the "work of delusion" (Jeremiah 51:18) that idols represent. The phrase "the rod of his inheritance" functions as a powerful Metaphor, portraying Israel as God's precious possession and perhaps an instrument in His hand, much like a scepter signifies authority or a staff guides and protects. This metaphor emphasizes the intimate and purposeful relationship between God and His chosen people. Furthermore, the declaration "the LORD of hosts is his name" serves as a powerful Affirmation and a form of Theophany (revelation of God's nature through His name), directly addressing God's supreme identity and power, reinforcing His majesty and authority over all creation and human affairs. The use of the names "Jacob" and "Israel" also employs Synecdoche, where the name of the patriarch stands for the entire nation, emphasizing their historical and covenantal lineage with God.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Jeremiah 51:19 is a cornerstone text affirming the absolute uniqueness and sovereignty of the God of Israel, a truth that echoes throughout the biblical narrative. It stands in stark contrast to the polytheistic worldview of the surrounding nations, asserting that Yahweh alone is the uncreated Creator, the source of all being, and the true "portion" for His people. This concept of God as Israel's inheritance is a profound theological statement, signifying that their ultimate security, identity, and satisfaction are found not in material possessions or national power, but in their covenant relationship with the living God. The title "LORD of hosts" further elevates God's authority, demonstrating His command over all creation and His irresistible power to execute His will, providing immense comfort and assurance to a people facing exile and oppression.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Jeremiah 51:19 offers timeless and profound truths that resonate deeply with believers today. In a world constantly vying for our allegiance, promising satisfaction in fleeting possessions, achievements, or worldly systems, this verse calls us back to the foundational truth that our ultimate "portion" is God Himself. Just as Jacob's true inheritance was not land or wealth but the covenant relationship with Yahweh, so too our greatest treasure is our communion with the living God. Recognizing Him as "the former of all things" invites us to worship Him as the sovereign Creator, whose wisdom and power far surpass any human understanding or invention. This perspective liberates us from the anxieties of a chaotic world, reminding us that our lives are in the hands of the One who formed all things and holds all "hosts" under His command. It empowers us to trust His plan, even when circumstances seem overwhelming, knowing that "the LORD of hosts is His name" – a name that guarantees His unwavering power and faithfulness to His people, providing both comfort and a call to humble submission.

Questions for Reflection

  • What "portions" or sources of security do I often rely on that are "like them" (i.e., temporary, man-made, or ultimately unsatisfying) rather than God?
  • How does understanding God as "the former of all things" impact my view of creation, my own life, and the challenges I face?
  • In what ways do I live as if I am "the rod of His inheritance," acknowledging my identity as God's precious possession and an instrument for His purposes?
  • How does meditating on the name "the LORD of hosts" strengthen my faith and courage in the face of fear or uncertainty, knowing He commands all forces?

FAQ

What does "the portion of Jacob is not like them" mean?

Answer: This phrase means that the God of Jacob (Israel) is fundamentally and incomparably different from the idols or false gods worshipped by other nations. While other nations trust in lifeless, man-made images or their own power, Israel's true "portion" or inheritance is the living God Himself. He is not a created thing, but the Creator, the ultimate source of their security, identity, and blessing, making Him infinitely superior to any other object of worship or trust. This distinction highlights God's uniqueness and His active presence, unlike the inert idols.

Who is "the former of all things" mentioned in this verse?

Answer: "The former of all things" refers to Yahweh, the God of Israel. This title emphasizes His role as the sovereign Creator, the one who actively molds, shapes, and brings into existence everything that exists. Unlike human craftsmen who form idols, God is the uncreated, original designer and maker of the entire universe, highlighting His omnipotence, wisdom, and unique status as the one true God. This is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, such as in Isaiah 45:12, where God declares, "I made the earth and created man on it; I stretched out the heavens with my hands, and I commanded all their host."

What is the significance of Israel being "the rod of his inheritance"?

Answer: The phrase "the rod of his inheritance" signifies Israel's unique and precious status as God's chosen people. The "rod" (Hebrew shêbeṭ) can denote a staff, scepter, or tribe. It implies that Israel is God's special possession, His treasured people, much like a valuable scepter symbolizes authority or a distinct tribe belongs to a specific lineage. It also suggests Israel's role as an instrument in God's hand, a tool through which He works His divine purposes in the world, whether for judgment or for blessing. This highlights the intimate and purposeful relationship God has with His covenant people, setting them apart as His own.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Jeremiah 51:19 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The declaration that "the portion of Jacob is not like them" points to Christ as the supreme and incomparable inheritance of God's people, far surpassing any earthly possession or false deity. While the Old Testament saints found their portion in Yahweh, the New Testament reveals that God has given us His Son, Jesus, as our ultimate and eternal inheritance, as described in Colossians 1:12, which speaks of our share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He is not merely a created being or an idol, but "the former of all things," for John 1:3 declares that "all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made." Christ is the active agent of creation, the very Word through whom the universe was formed (Hebrews 1:2). Furthermore, just as Israel was "the rod of his inheritance," the Church, composed of all believers, is now Christ's inheritance, His body, over which He is the head, filling all in all (Ephesians 1:22-23). We are His treasured possession, called to be instruments of His will in the world. Finally, the majestic title "the LORD of hosts is his name" finds its full expression in Christ, for all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him (Matthew 28:18). He is the King of kings and Lord of lords, the ultimate commander of all forces, whose name is above every name (Philippians 2:9-11). Thus, in Christ, we receive the incomparable portion, are united with the Creator of all, become His precious inheritance, and serve under the ultimate "LORD of hosts."

Copy as

Commentary on Jeremiah 51 verses 1–58

The particulars of this copious prophecy are dispersed and interwoven, and the same things left and returned to so often that it could not well be divided into parts, but we must endeavor to collect them under their proper heads. Let us then observe here,

I. An acknowledgment of the great pomp and power that Babylon had been in and the use that God in his providence had made of it (Jer 51:7): Babylon hath been a golden cup, a rich and glorious empire, a golden city (Isa 14:4), a head of gold (Dan 2:38), filled with all good things, as a cup with wine. Nay, she had been a golden cup in the Lord's hand; he had in a particular manner filled and favoured her with blessings; he had made the earth drunk with this cup; some were intoxicated with her pleasures and debauched by her, others intoxicated with her terrors and destroyed by her. In both senses the New Testament Babylon is said to have made the kings of the earth drunk, Rev 17:2; Rev 18:3. Babylon had also been God's battle-axe; it was so at this time, when Jeremiah prophesied, and was likely to be yet more so, Jer 51:20. The forces of Babylon were God's weapons of war, tools in his hand, with which he broke in pieces, and knocked down, nations and kingdoms, - horses and chariots, which are so much the strength of kingdoms (Jer 51:21), - man and woman, young and old, with which kingdoms are replenished (Jer 51:22), - the shepherd and his flock, the husbandman and his oxen, with which kingdoms are maintained and supplied, Jer 51:23. Such havoc as this the Chaldeans had made when God employed them as instruments of his wrath for the chastising of the nations; and yet now Babylon itself must fall. Note, Those that have carried all before them a great while will yet at length meet with their match, and their day also will come to fall; the rod will itself be thrown into the fire at last. Nor can any think it will exempt them from God's judgments that they have been instrumental in executing his judgments on others.

II. A just complaint made of Babylon, and a charge drawn up against her by the Israel of God. 1. She is complained of for her incorrigible wickedness (Jer 51:9): We would have healed Babylon, but she is not healed. The people of God that were captives among the Babylonians endeavoured, according to the instructions given them (Jer 10:11), to convince them of the folly of their idolatry, but they could not do it; still they doted as much as ever upon their graven images, and therefore the Israelites resolved to quit them and go to their own country. Yet some understand this as spoken by the forces they had hired for their assistance, declaring that they had done their best to save her from ruin, but that it was all to no purpose, and therefore they might as well go home to their respective countries; "for her judgment reaches unto heaven, and it is in vain to withstand it or think to avert it." 2. She is complained of for her inveterate malice against Israel. Other nations had been hardly used by the Chaldeans, but Israel only complains to God of it, and with confidence appeals to him (Jer 51:34, Jer 51:35): "The king of Babylon has devoured me, and crushed me, and never thought he could do enough ruin to me; he has emptied me of all that was valuable, has swallowed me up as a dragon, or whale, swallows up the little fish by shoals; he has filled his belly, filled his treasures, with my delicates, with all my pleasant things, and has cast me out, cast me away as a vessel in which there is no pleasure; and now let them be accountable for all this." Zion and Jerusalem shall say, "Let the violence done to me and my children, that are my own flesh, and pieces of myself, and all the blood of my people, which they have shed like water, be upon them; let the guilt of it lie upon them, and let it be required at their hands." Note, Ruin is not far off from those that lie under the guilt of wrong done to God's people.

III. Judgment given upon this appeal by the righteous Judge of heaven and earth, on behalf of Israel against Babylon. he sits in the throne judging right, is ready to receive complaints, and answers (Jer 51:36): "I will plead thy cause. Leave it with me; I will in due time plead it effectually and take vengeance for thee, and every drop of Jerusalem's blood shall be accounted for with interest." Israel and Judah seemed to have been neglected and forgotten, but God had an eye to them, Jer 51:5. It is true their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel. They were a provoking people and their sings were a great offence to God, as a holy God, and as their God, their Holy One; and therefore he justly delivered them up into the hands of their enemies, and might justly have abandoned them and left them to perish in their hands; but God deals better with them than they deserve, and, notwithstanding their iniquities and his severities, Israel is not forsaken, is not cast off, though he be cast out, but is owned and looked after by his God, by the Lord of hosts. God is his God still, and will act for him as the Lord of hosts, a God of power. Note, Though God's people may have broken his laws and fallen under his rebukes, yet it does not therefore follow that they are thrown out of covenant; but God's care of them and love to them will flourish again, Psa 89:30-33. The Chaldeans thought they should never be called to an account for what they had done against God's Israel; but there is a time fixed for vengeance, Jer 51:6. We cannot expect it should come sooner than the time fixed, but then it will come; he will render unto Babylon a recompence, for the avenging of Israel is the vengeance of the Lord, who espouses their cause; it is the vengeance of his temple, Jer 51:11, as before, Jer 50:28. The Lord God of recompences, the God to whom vengeance belongs, will surely requite (Jer 51:56), will pay them home; he will render unto Babylon all the evil they have done in Zion (Jer 51:24); he will return it in the sight of his people. They shall have the satisfaction to see their cause pleaded with jealousy. They shall not only live to see those judgments brought upon Babylon, but they shall plainly see them to be the punishment of the wrong they have done to Zion; any man may see it, and say, Verily there is a God that judges in the earth; for just as Babylon has caused the slain of Israel to fall, has not only slain those that were found in arms, but all without distinction, even all the land (almost all were put to the sword), so at Babylon shall fall the slain not only of the city, but of all the country, Jer 51:49. Cyrus shall measure to the Chaldeans the same that they measured to the Jews, so that every observer may discern that God is recompensing them for what they did against his people; but Zion's children shall in a particular manner triumph in it (Jer 51:10): The Lord has brought forth our righteousness; he has appeared in our behalf against those that dealt unjustly with us, and has given us redress; he has also made it to appear that he is reconciled to us and that we are yet in his eyes a righteous nation. Let it therefore be spoken of to his praise: Come and let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God, that others may be invited to join with us in praising him.

IV. A declaration of the greatness and sovereignty of that God who espouses Zion's cause and undertakes to reckon with this proud and potent enemy, Jer 51:14. It is the Lord of hosts that has said it, that has sworn it, has sworn it by himself (for he could swear by no greater), that he will fill Babylon with vast and incredible numbers of the enemy's forces, will fill it with men as with caterpillars, that shall overpower it will multitudes, and need only to lift up a shout against it, for that shall be so terrible as to dispirit all the inhabitants and make them an easy prey to this numerous army. But who, and where, is he that can break so powerful a kingdom as Babylon? The prophet gives an account of him from the description he had formerly given of him, and of his sovereignty and victory over all pretenders (Jer 10:12-16), which was there intended for the conviction of the Babylonian idolaters and the confirmation of God's Israel in the faith and worship of the God of Israel; and it is here repeated to show that God will convince those by his judgments who would not be convinced by his word that he is God over all. Let not any doubt but that he who has determined to destroy Babylon is able to make his words good, for, 1. he is the God that made the world (Jer 51:15), and therefore nothing is too hard for him to do; it is in his name that our help stands, and on him our hope is built. 2. He has the command of all the creatures that he has made (Jer 51:16); his providence is a continued creation. He has wind and rain at his disposal. if he speak the word, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens (and it is a wonder how they hang there), fed by vapours out of the earth, and it is a wonder how they ascend thence. Lightnings and rain seem contraries, as fire and water, and yet they are produced together; and the wind, which seems arbitrary in its motions, and we know not whence it comes, is yet, we are sure, brought out of his treasuries. 3. The idols that oppose the accomplishment of his word are a mere sham and their worshippers brutish people, Jer 51:17, Jer 51:18. The idols are falsehood, they are vanity, they are the work of errors; when they come to be visited (to be examined and enquired into) they perish, that is, their reputation sinks and they appear to be nothing; and those that make them are like unto them. But between the God of Israel and these gods of the heathen there is no comparison (Jer 51:19): The portion of Jacob is not like them; the God who speaks this and will do it is the former of all things and the Lord of all hosts, and therefore can do what he will; and there is a near relation between him and his people, for he is their portion and they are his; they put a confidence in him as their portion and he is pleased to take a complacency in them and a particular care of them as the lot of his inheritance; and therefore he will do what is best for them. The repetition of these things here, which were said before, intimates both the certainty and the importance of them, and obliges us to take special notice of them; God hath spoken once; yea, twice have we heard this, that power belongs to God, power to destroy the most formidable enemies of his church; and if God thus speak once, yea, twice, we are inexcusable if we do not perceive it and attend to it.

V. A description of the instruments that are to be employed in this service. God has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes (Jer 51:11), Darius and Cyrus, who come against Babylon by a divine instinct; for God's device is against Babylon to destroy it. They do it, but God devised it, he designed it; they are but accomplishing his purpose, and acting as he directed. Note, God's counsel shall stand, and according to it all hearts shall move. Those whom God employs against Babylon are compared (Jer 51:1) to a destroying wind, which either by its coldness blasts the fruits of the earth or by its fierceness blows down all before it. This wind is brought out of God's treasuries (Jer 51:16), and it is here said to be raised up against those that dwell in the midst of the Chaldeans, those of other nations that inhabit among them and are incorporated with them. The Chaldeans rise up against God by falling down before idols, and against them God will raise up destroyers, for he will be too hard for those that contend with him. These enemies are compared to fanners (Jer 51:2), who shall drive them away as chaff is driven away by the fan. The Chaldeans had been fanners to winnow God's people (Jer 15:7) and to empty them, and now they shall themselves be in like manner despoiled and dispersed.

VI. An ample commission given them to destroy and lay all waste. Let them bend their bow against the archers of the Chaldeans (Jer 51:3) and not spare her young men, but utterly destroy them, for the Lord has both devised and done what he spoke against Babylon, Jer 51:12. This may animate the instruments he employs, but assuring them of success. The methods they take are such as God has devised and therefore they shall surely prosper; what he has spoken shall be done, for he himself will do it; and therefore let all necessary preparations be made. This they are called to, Jer 51:27, Jer 51:28. Let a standard be set up, under which to enlist soldiers for this expedition; let a trumpet be blown to call men together to it and animate them in it; let the nations, out of which Cyrus's army is to be raised, prepare their recruits; let the kingdoms of Ararat, and Minni, and Ashkenaz, of Armenia, both the higher and the lower, and of Ascania, about Phrygia and Bithynia, send in their quota of men for his service; let general officers be appointed and the cavalry advance; let the horses come up in great numbers, as the caterpillars, and come, like them, leaping and pawing in the valley; let them lay the country waste, as caterpillars do (Joe 1:4), especially rough caterpillars; let the kings and captains prepare nations against Babylon, for the service is great and there is occasion for many hands to be employed it.

VII. The weakness of the Chaldeans, and their inability to make head against this threatening destroying force. When God employed them against other nations they had spirit and strength to act offensively, and went on with admirable resolution, conquering and to conquer; but now that it comes to their turn to be reckoned with all their might and courage are gone, their hearts fail them, and none of all their men of might and mettle have found their hands to act so much as defensively. They are called upon here to prepare for action, but it is ironically and in an upbraiding way (Jer 51:11): Make bright the arrows, which have grown rusty through disuse; gather the shields, which in a long time of peace and security have been scattered and thrown out of the way (Jer 51:12); set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, upon the towers on those walls, to summon all that owed suit and service to that mother-city, now to come in to her assistance; let them make the watch as strong as they can, and appoint the sentinels to their respective posts, and prepare ambushes for the reception of the enemy. This intimates that they would be found very secure and remiss, and would need to be thus quickened (and they were so to such a degree that they were in the midst of their revels when the city was taken), but that all their preparations should come to no purpose. Whoever will may call them to it, but they shall have no heart to come at the call, Jer 51:29. The whole land shall tremble, and sorrow (a universal consternation) shall seize upon them; for they shall see both the irresistible arm and the irreversible counsel and decree of God against them. They shall see that God is making Babylon a desolation, and therein is performing what he has purposed; and then the mighty men of Babylon have forborne to fight, Jer 51:30. God having taken away their strength and spirit, so that they have remained in their holds, not daring so much as to peep forth, the might both of their hearts and of their hands fails; they become as timorous as women, so that the enemy has, without any resistance, burnt her dwelling-places and broken her bars. It is to the same purport with Jer 51:56-58. When the spoiler comes upon Babylon her mighty men, who should make head against him, are immediately taken, their weapons of war fail them, every one of their bows is broken and stands them in no stead. Their politics fail them; they call councils of war, but their princes and captains, who sit in council to concert measures for the common safety, are made drunk; they are as men intoxicated through stupidity or despair; they can form no right notions of things; they stagger and are unsteady in their counsels and resolves, and dash one against another, and, like drunken men, fall out among themselves. At length they sleep a perpetual sleep, and never awake from their wine, the wine of God's wrath, for it is to them an opiate that lays them into a fatal lethargy. The walls of their city fail them, Jer 51:58. When the enemy had found ways to ford Euphrates, which was thought impassable, yet surely, think they, the walls are impregnable, they are the broad walls of Babylon or (as the margin reads it), the walls of broad Babylon. The compass of the city, within the walls, was 385 furlongs, some say 480, that is, about sixty miles; the walls were 200 cubits high, and fifty cubits broad, so that two chariots might easily pass by one another upon them. Some say that there was a threefold wall about the inner city and the like about the outer, and that the stones of the wall, being laid in pitch instead of mortar (Gen 11:3), were scarcely separable; and yet these shall be utterly broken, and the high gates and towers shall be burnt, and the people that are employed in the defence of the city shall labour in vain in the fire; they shall quite tire themselves, but shall do no good.

VIII. The destruction that shall be made of Babylon by these invaders. 1. It is a certain destruction; the doom has passed and it cannot be reversed; a divine power is engaged against it, which cannot be resisted (Jer 51:8): Babylon is fallen and destroyed, is as sure to fall, to fall into destruction, as if it were fallen and destroyed already; though when Jeremiah prophesied this, and many a year after, it was in the height of its power and greatness. God declares, God appears against Babylon (Jer 51:25): Behold, I am against thee; and those cannot stand long whom God is against. He will stretch out his hand upon it, a hand which no creature can bear the weight of nor withstand the force of. It is his purpose, which shall be performed, that Babylon must be a desolation, Jer 51:29. 2. It is a righteous destruction. Babylon has made herself meet for it, and therefore cannot fail to meet with it. For (Jer 51:25) Babylon has been a destroying mountain, very lofty and bulky as a mountain, and destroying all the earth, as the stones that are tumbled from high mountains spoil the grounds about them; but now it shall itself be rolled down from its rocks, which were as the foundations on which it stood. It shall be levelled, its pomp and power broken. It is now a burning mountain, like Aetna and the other volcanoes, that throw out fire, to the terror of all about them. But it shall be a burnt mountain; it shall at length have consumed itself, and shall remain a heap of ashes. So will this world be at the end of time. Again (Jer 51:33), "Babylon is like a threshing-floor, in which the people of God have been long threshed, as sheaves in the floor; but now the time has come that she shall herself be threshed and her sheaves in her; her princes and great men, and all her inhabitants, shall be beaten in their own land, as in the threshing-floor. The threshing-floor is prepared. Babylon is by sin made meet to be a seat of war, and her people, like corn in harvest, are ripe for destruction," Rev 14:15; Mic 4:12. 3. It is an unavoidable destruction. Babylon seems to be well-fenced and fortified against it: She dwells upon many waters (Jer 51:13); the situation of her country is such that it seems inaccessible, it is so surrounded, and the march of an enemy into it so embarrassed, by rivers. In allusion to this, the New Testament Babylon is said to sit upon many waters, that is, to rule over many nations, as the other Babylon did, Rev 17:15. Babylon is abundant in treasures; and yet "thy end has come, and neither they waters nor thy wealth shall secure thee." This end that comes shall be the measure of thy covetousness; it shall be the stint of thy gettings, it shall set bounds to thy ambition and avarice, which otherwise would have ben boundless. God, by the destruction of Babylon, said to its proud waves, Hitherto shall you come, and no further. Note, if men will not set a measure to their covetousness by wisdom and grace, God will set a measure to it by his judgments. Babylon, thinking herself very safe and very great, was very proud; but she will be deceived (Jer 51:53): Though Babylon should mount her walls and palaces up to heaven, and though (because what is high is apt to totter) she should take care to fortify the height of her strength, yet all will not do; God will send spoilers against her, that shall break through her strength and bring down her height. 4. It is a gradual destruction, which, if they had pleased, they might have foreseen and had warning of; for (Jer 51:46) "A rumor will come one year that Cyrus is making vast preparations for war, and after that, in another year, shall come a rumour that his design is upon Babylon, and he is steering his course that way;" so that when he was a great way off they might have sent and desired conditions of peace; but they were too proud, too secure, to do that, and their hearts were hardened to their destruction. 5. Yet, when it comes, it is a surprising destruction: Babylon has suddenly fallen (Jer 51:8); the destruction came upon them when they did not think of it and was perfected in a little time, as that of the New Testament Babylon - in one hour, Rev 18:17. The king of Babylon, who should have been observing the approaches of the enemy, was himself at such a distance from the place where the attack was made that it was a great while ere he had notice that the city was taken; so that those who were posted near the place sent one messenger, one courier, after another, with advice of it, Jer 51:31. The foot-posts shall meet at the court from several quarters with this intelligence to the king of Babylon that his city is taken at one end, and there is nothing to obstruct the progress of the conquerors, but they will be at the other end quickly. They are to tell him that the enemy has seized the passes (Jer 51:32), the forts or blockades upon the river, and that, having got over the river, he has set fire to the reeds on the river side, to alarm and terrify the city, so that all the men of war are affrighted and have thrown down their arms and surrendered at discretion. The messengers come, like Job's, one upon the heels of another, with these tidings, which are immediately confirmed with a witness by the enemies' being in the palace and slaying the king himself, Dan 5:30. That profane feast which they were celebrating at the very time when the city was taken, which was both an evidence of their strange security and a great advantage to the enemy, seems here to be referred to (Jer 51:38, Jer 51:39): They shall roar together like lions, as men in their revels do, when the wine has got into their heads. They call it singing; but in scripture-language, and in the language of sober men, it is called yelling like lions' whelps. It is probable that they were drinking confusion to Cyrus and his army with loud huzzas. Well, says God, in their heat, when they are inflamed (Isa 5:11) and their heads are hot with hard drinking, I will make their feasts, I will give them their portion. They have passed their cup round; now the cup of the Lord's right hand shall be turned unto them (Hab 2:15, Hab 2:16), a cup of fury, which shall make them drunk that they may rejoice (or rather that they may revel it) and sleep a perpetual sleep; let them be as merry as they can with that bitter cup, but it shall lay them to sleep never to wake more (as Jer 51:57); for on that night, in the midst of the jollity, was Belshazzar slain. 6. It is to be a universal destruction. God will make thorough work of it; for, as he will perform what he has purposed, so he will perfect what he has begun. The slain shall fall in great abundance throughout the land of the Chaldeans; multitudes shall be thrust through in her streets, Jer 51:4. They are brought down like lambs to the slaughter (Jer 51:40), in such great numbers, so easily, and the enemies make no more of killing them than the butcher does of killing lambs. The strength of the enemy, and their invading them, are here compared to an irruption and inundation of waters (Jer 51:42): The sea has come up upon Babylon, which, when it has once broken through its bounds, there is no fence against, so that she is covered with the multitude of its waves, overpowered by a numerous army; her cities then become a desolation, an uninhabited uncultivated desert, Jer 51:43. 7. It is a destruction that shall reach the gods of Babylon, the idols and images, and fall with a particular weight upon them. "In token that the whole land shall be confounded and all her slain shall fall and that throughout all the country the wounded shall groan, I will do judgment upon her graven images," Jer 51:47 and again Jer 51:52. All must needs perish if their gods perish, from whom they expect protection. Though the invaders are themselves idolaters, yet they shall destroy the images and temples of the gods of Babylon, as an earnest of the abolishing of all counterfeit deities. Bel was the principal idol that the Babylonians worshipped, and therefore that is by name here marked for destruction (Jer 51:44): I will punish Bel, that great devourer, that image to which such abundance of sacrifices are offered and such rich spoils dedicated, and to whose temple there is such a vast resort. He shall disgorge what he has so greedily regaled himself with. God will bring forth out of his temple all the wealth laid up there, Job 20:15. His altars shall be forsaken, none shall regard him any more, and so that idol which was thought to be a wall to Babylon shall fall and fail them. 8. It shall be a final destruction. You may take balm for her pain, but in vain; she that would not be healed by the word of God shall not be healed by his providence, Jer 51:8, Jer 51:9. Babylon shall become heaps (Jer 51:37), and, to complete its infamy, no use shall be made even of the ruins of Babylon, so execrable shall they be, and attended with such ill omens (Jer 51:26): They shall not take of thee a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations. People shall not care for having any thing to do with Babylon, or whatever belonged to it. Or it denotes that there shall be nothing left in Babylon on which to ground any hopes or attempts of raising it into a kingdom again; for, as it follows here, it shall be desolate for ever. St. Jerome says that in his time, though the ruins of Babylon's walls were to be seen, yet the ground enclosed by them was a forest of wild beasts.

IX. Here is a call to God's people to go out of Babylon. It is their wisdom, when the ruin is approaching, to quit the city and retire into the country (Jer 51:6): "Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and get into some remote corner, that you may save your lives, and may not be cut off in her iniquity." When God's judgments are abroad it is good to get as far as we can from those against whom they are levelled, as Israel from the tents of Korah. This agrees with the advice Christ gave his disciples, with reference to the destruction of Jerusalem. Let those who shall be in Judea flee to the mountains, Mat 24:16. It is their wisdom to get out of the midst of Babylon, lest they be involved, if not in her ruins, yet in her fears (Jer 51:45, Jer 51:46): Lest your heart faint, and you fear for the rumour that shall be heard in the land. Though God had told them that Cyrus should be their deliverer, and Babylon's destruction their deliverance, yet they had been told also that in the peace thereof they should have peace, and therefore the alarms given to Babylon would put them into a fright, and perhaps they might not have faith and consideration enough to suppress those fears, for which reason they are here advised to get out of the hearing of the alarms. Note, Those who have not grace enough to keep their temper in temptation should have wisdom enough to keep out of the way of temptation. But this is not all; it is not only their wisdom to quit the city when the ruin is approaching, but it is their duty to quit the country too when the ruin is accomplished, and they are set at liberty by the pulling down of the prison over their heads. This they are told, Jer 51:50, Jer 51:51 : "You Israelites, who have escaped the sword of the Chaldeans your oppressors, and of the Persians their destroyers, now that the year of release has come, go away, stand not still; hasten to your own country again, however you may be comfortably seated in Babylon, for this is not your rest, but Canaan is." 1. He puts them in mind of the inducements they had to return: "Remember the Lord afar off, his presence with you now, though you are here afar off from your native soil; his presence with your fathers formerly in the temple, though you are now afar off from the ruins of it." Note, Wherever we are, in the greatest depths, at the greatest distances, we may and must remember the Lord our God; and in the time of the greatest fears and hopes it is seasonable to remember the Lord. "And let Jerusalem come into your mind. Though it be now in ruins, yet favour its dust (Psa 102:14); though few of you ever saw it, yet believe the report you have had concerning it from those that wept when they remembered Zion; and think of Jerusalem until you come up to a resolution to make the best of your way thither." Note, When the city of our solemnities is out of sight, yet it must not be out of mind; and it will be of great use to us, in our journey through this world, to let the heavenly Jerusalem come often into our mind. 2. He takes notice of the discouragement which the returning captives labour under (Jer 51:51); being reminded of Jerusalem, they cry out, "We are confounded; we cannot bear the thought of it; shame covers our faces at the mention of it, for we have heard of the reproach of the sanctuary, that is profaned and ruined by strangers; how can we think of it with any pleasure?" To this he answers (Jer 51:52) that the God of Israel will now triumph over the gods of Babylon, and so that reproach will be for ever rolled away. Note, The believing prospect of Jerusalem's recovery will keep us from being ashamed of Jerusalem's ruins.

X. Here is the diversified feeling excited by Babylon's fall, and it is the same that we have with respect to the New Testament Babylon, Rev 18:9, Rev 18:19. 1. Some shall lament the destruction of Babylon. There is the sound of a cry, a great outcry coming from Babylon (Jer 51:54), lamenting this great destruction, the voice of mourning, because the Lord has destroyed the voice of the multitude, that great voice of mirth which used to be heard in Babylon, Jer 51:55. We are told what they shall say in their lamentations (Jer 51:41): "How is Sheshach taken, and how are we mistaken concerning her! How is that city surprised and become an astonishment among the nations that was the praise, and glory, and admiration of the whole earth!" See how that may fall into a general contempt which has been universally cried up. 2. Yet some shall rejoice in Babylon's fall, not as it is the misery of their fellow-creatures, but as it is the manifestation of the righteous judgment of God and as it opens the way for the release of God's captives; upon these accounts the heaven and the earth, and all that is in both, shall sing for Babylon (Jer 51:48); the church in heaven and the church on earth shall give to God the glory of his righteousness, and take notice of it with thankfulness to his praise. Babylon's ruin is Zion's praise.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–58. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as

Continue studying Jeremiah 51:19 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.

Read & Compare

Commentaries

Original Language & Research

Sermons, Hymns & Audio

TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.